20060729

Redd Foxx | Best Of: Comedy Stew (Explicit)Redd Foxx came to fame as a "blue" comic during a time when shops kept his records hidden behind the counter and had to be requested when the vice cops weren't around (really!). What's surprising now isn't that Foxx can still be off-color; it's how smart and quick-witted his rapid fire one-liners, puns and routines are. - NDMost Popular Track: "No Shit Folks"

20060725

Ween easily rocked one of the top three shows of the year on Friday night at the Independent. I had heard about these epic long throwdown east coast shows for so long, but never seemed to get more than the standard show in the west coast city that would most enjoy the brown humor. They went on earlier than any band I've ever seen at the Indy, and proceeded to play for what seemed like six hours of just about every classic in their deep, dark repertoire, literally blowing people outside on probably the hottest night of the year. Seriously, I think they played 35 songs, the place was moist, boozed up and rocked out.

The quintuple encore of: What Deaner Was Talkin About, The Final Alarm, Big Jilm! (man, we've been singing this one all summer, finally to get it live and stand next to Big Jim, what a highlight! and right on cue into) Bananas and Blow, You Fucked Up and Someday. This was my favorite show on The Farewell Super DeTour, about the only thing Ween didn't play to recognize the moment was "She Wanted To Leave." So go fetch a bottle...seriously, thank you to Ween and High Road and all the super people at the Independent for making this show happen. After what feels like 100 shows there, I think I now have a favorite. I'm not sure why I love that place so much, I can't put my finger on it! -TKtags: JBRhapsody, playlist, Ween, Winkle, Rhapsody, Shinola, Chocolate, Deaner

20060721

Dirty on Purpose | Hallelujah SirensMr. G (who sits next to me at work) told me about these guys after their last release, and I wrote it off as too indie, as I'm wont to do. But this album is great, really growing on me. It's got the classic My Bloody Valentine meets The Cure feel, yet on the other hand, it's got layers of depth, mixing guitars, vocals with a little horn action (like in the first track "No Radio"). Plus, it's got the sultry vocals of Erika from Au Revoir Simone. Not sure if she's hot, but she sounds it. Easy to digest and be impressed by hearing the catchy "Light Pollution." The screaming, intertwined guitar work of "Monument" is a standout (could be my favorite after my twelfth listen) as well as the ethereal buildup on "Fake Lakes." In short, I'm endorsing repeated listens of this record. It will grow on you. - TKStream it now on Rhapsody.com

20060719

Umphrey's McGee Rhapsody MixTapeI recorded some pre-show chatter at the Fillmore back in April with Brendan, Joel and Jake, and it is finally cut up and mixed. I really like this style of interview, to talk to musicians about the music they like and intersperse those tracks with the interview. Their recommendations, like UM's style, really runs the gamut, from Huey Lewis' "If This Is It" to Duran Duran's "Save a Prayer" to "Dreams" by Fleetwood Mac to the (obviously Jake influenced) "Cities On Flame With Rock And Roll" by Blue Oyster Cult and Zappa's "Inca Roads." Check it out, either in Rhapsody or on our new web-based player at rhapsody.com and let me know what you think. I want to do more of these MixTapes. Whaddyathink? - TK

20060712

Phish | Live In BrooklynWow, Phish is back. Sorta, I think they're called GRAB now. Or BRAG. Time flies though, it's already been two summers since the final Phish run, which included this June 17, 2004 show from Brooklyn's Keyspan Park. Although I remember watching it from a movie theater, the guy next to me had his shirt off so it felt like the real thing. Some key career-spanning tracks on here, the obvi fan faves of "Oh Kee Pa->Suzy" and "Mike's->H2->Groove to the Undermind-era fave "Nothing". My favorite the old sentimental number, "The Curtain (With)." Listening without prejudice, there is still some pride at graduating from Phish U. - TK

TK'S All-Timer Albums

(album *must* have 5 or more
great songs to be considered)

My Morning JacketIt Still MovesMy Morning Jackettake the high lonesome howl of American music and run, not to the hills, but into outer space. Echoing with reverb, the group makes a heavy racket that sounds like Neil Young's finest days broadcast through a megaphone. Songs like "Golden" and "Mahgeetah" exemplify this group's cosmic folk intentions.

Pinback | Summer in AbaddonBest enjoyed in the 54 minutes before sunrise, Summer in Abbadon has equal parts soft breath and raucous screaming, layered guitars and vocals that somehow equal something larger and gorgeous. This is a magical record, one of the best of 2004, and I believe Pinback's best effort to date. "AFK" will make you think twice, it's elusive and thoughtful. What a great record.

Ambulance LTD | LPIt's a flawless album, LP has the mark of a great album - no matter my mood, I can pop it in and listen to it straight through, start to finish. LP was my number one record of 2004. "Stay Where You Are" and give it a spin, also "Stay Tuned" for we hope there is more to come from Ambulance LTD.

Troubled HubblePenturbiaYou're only making this list if your album is stellar from start to finish. The 2003 release of Penturbia somehow eluded me until two years later, but I'll never forget it again. I love my canoe, and you too. It's one big world and one small me. When will I come to terms that the only constant thing in life is change? Every song, so good. Hear it.

The SlipFrom The GeckoSee where genre-defying innovators The Slip started it all. This is the very sophisticated debut album created by three teenagers from Providence, R.I. Gecko features classic instrumentals "Munf," "Yellow Medicine," "Cumulus," and "Spice Groove," as well as lyrical favorites "Alsoa" and "The Weight of Solomon."

Ben Folds FiveBen Folds FiveThe first Ben Folds Five album is a masterpiece. This is a top ten record of all time for me. BF5 features the classics "Underground," "Best Imitation of Myself," "My Philosophy" and "Alice Childress" - honestly, every song has it's own merits, I never get sick of this piano pop record.

PavementTerror TwilightThe final Pavement album is in my mind, their best. Before yoiu S&E purists bash me, go back and listen to the record. TT is a masterpiece, the songwriting is poetic and disturbing, but you'll never know until you dig deep. This is a lesson in how relationships end, some are pleasant and others are painful. If you are not grabbed by the pop beauty of "Speak, See Remember" or "Major Leagues" then dig deeper and read into "Bilie" or "Folk Jam" - just don't 'waste your precious breath explaining that you are worthwhile.'

Big Head Todd & the MonstersMidnight RadioThe second BHTM album was recorded on a two track in basements in the midwest and the raw, underproduced sound has helped it stand the test of time. Even after fifteen years of years of regular listens, this record continues to shine brightly like "city burning like a dream" or like the light from a tower in the distance, just "broadcasting it's resistance through the rain and through the night. Listen, and you will believe that "yes indeed, there is a paradise...and a band is playing there."